Arrangement concerning ski boots

ABSTRACT

A SKI BOOT IS PROVIDED WITH A VERTICALLY EXTENDING GROOVE AT THE REAR EDGE OF THE HEEL, WHICH IS INTENDED FOR COOPERATION WITH A FIXED UPSTANDING ELEMENT ON A SKI, THE UPPER FREE END OF WHICH FIXED ELEMENT IS TAPERED SO THAT THE HEEL CAN BE DOWNWARDLY ENGAGED ON THE ELEMENT AND AUTOMATICALLY PLACED IN CORRECT POSITION THEREON.

N. EIE

ARRANGEMENT CONCERNING SKI BOOTS Nov. 9, 1971 Filed Nov. 12, 1969 United States Patent Ofi 3,518,233 Patented Nov. 9, 1971 3,618,233 ARRANGEMENT CONCERNING SKI BOOTS Nils Eie, Tennisveien 6, Slemdal, Oslo 3, Norway Filed Nov. 12, 1969, $91. No. 875,712

Int. Cl. A43b US. CI. 36-25 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A ski boot is provided with a vertically extending groove at the rear edge of the heel, which is intended for cooperation with a fixed upstanding element on a ski, the upper free end of which fixed element is tapered so that the heel can be downwardly engaged on the element and automatically placed in correct position thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 shows the rear of a ski boot heel, in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 2 shows an upstanding element securable to a ski for cooperation with the heel, according to FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an arrangement concerning ski boots in which relatively rigid, wear-resistant elements are embedded in and/ or secured to the sole of the boot in such a way that parts of said element are so positioned that they will directly contact parts of the ski binding when the boot is attached by the binding to the ski.

An object of the invention is to provide special means by which the ski boot is given an accurate position or fixing, whereby lateral movements are effectively prevented when the boot is attached and rests against the ski.

This object is obtained by arranging a vertically extending notch or groove in the rear of the heel of the boot, which notch is adapted to cooperate with an upstanding element secured to the ski and having an upper free end which is tapered, i.e., has less width than its base, so that the heel automatically assumes its correct position on the ski when the heel of the boot descends on the upstanding element.

The wear-resistant element forms a part of the notch or groove and it preferably has the form of an insertion embedded in the material from which the heel is made.

Referring next to the drawing, the heel v1 is provided at the rear thereof with a notch or a vertically extending groove 2. Attached to the upper surface of the ski is secured an accessory which is provided with an upstanding portion 3, the upper free end or part of which is tapered, as shown at 4 in the drawing. The accessory 5 is secured to the ski in such a position that the upstanding portion 3 engages in the groove 2, when the ski boot is attached by the binding to the ski and the heel is stepped down against the upper surface of the ski.

When the boot heel reaches a rest position against the ski after a step, the cooperation of the groove 2 and the upstanding part 3, 4 insures that the boot automatically assumes that correct position on the ski, side displacement being effectively prevented. As mentioned, such correct positioning is obtained automatically so that even if the heel during its return movement against the ski happens to be somewhat laterally displaced, the oblique guiding edges of the part 4 will cause the heel to move downward in correct position, the upstanding portion 3 of the accessory 5 entering the groove 2.

As the cooperation between said means will result in a substantial wear, the groove or notch preferably is provided with wear-resistant elements in the form of embedded or secured relatively rigid and resistant material. Such material can, for instance, be embedded as a plate element 6 in the heel 1, as shown in FIG. 1.

The invention is not restricted to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawing. Thus the form of the notch or groove, as well as the corresponding form of the cooperating accessory secured to the ski, can be modified in many ways within the scope of the invention. It must only be clearly understood that the cooperation is such that the heel automatically obtains the correct positioning on the ski after each step of the skier and that this is obtained by providing the upstanding portion of the accessory with tapering side surfaces guiding the heel down to correct engagement between the main portion of the accessory and the notch or groove. Such accessory thus could, for instance, have the form of a triangular or pyramidal body and the notch would then have a corresponding form.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination: a ski boot having a rearwardly projecting heel with a vertical groove at the rear thereof, and a fixed upstanding element adapted for connection with a ski to engage the groove in the boot and thereby position the same, said upstanding element having an upper free end which is tapered in width so that the heel can descend on the upstanding element and be correctly positioned thereon.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1 wherein said upper free end of the upstanding element has a triangular shape.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2 comprising a reinforcing plate in said heel and at the groove.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,276,826 3/1942 Crowther 36-25 X 2,498,085 2/1950 Lehmkuhl 36-2.5 3,372,495 3/1968 Finn 362.5

PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner 

